Cognitive Development for Toddlers 2-3 Year Olds

Toddlers have a greater understanding of the world around them by this stage. Their cognitive development (also known as intellectual development and thinking skills) continues to increase during this period. The ability to learn new skills, understanding of concepts, begins to make sense of current events, solve problems and use of memory steadily improves. Toddlers will begin to interpret the meanings of their experiences and they also have a vivid imagination.

observe and imitate adult actions, for example pretending to drive a car

interested in looking through books

understands consequences of their actions

makes mechanical toys work

matches an object in hand or room to a picture in a book

plays make-believe with dolls, animals, and people

sorts objects by colour

completes puzzles with 3 or 4 pieces

builds tower of five to seven objects

lines up objects in ‘train’ fashion

recognises and identifies common objects and pictures by pointing

enjoys playing with sand, water, dough; explores what these materials can do more than making things with them

uses symbolic play, e.g. use a block as a car

shows knowledge of gender-role stereotypes

identifies picture as a boy or girl

engages in making believe and pretend play

begins to count with numbers

recognises similarities and differences

imitates rhythms and animal movements

becoming aware of space through physical activity

can follow two or more directions

understands concept of “two”

matches objects and pictures one to one

plays make believe play (pretending to be batman or snow white

enjoys drawing pictures

able to complete simple puzzles and play simple board games

begins to understand the concept that 2 halves make a 1 whole

gives brief details of what is happening in a picture

places objects in a certain logical order, e.g. stack blocks from largest to smallest

tries to obtain more information through ‘why’ and ‘what’ questions

pays attention to an activity between 5 – 15 minutes at a time

A toddler becomes an active thinker with a greater amount of knowledge and grasps concepts more easily than before. Toddlers begin to use imagery as part of their thinking. This enables them to discuss objects and people, that aren't actually in front of them and are no longer tied down to only what they see. This opens up a whole new range of cognitive experiences.